The Secret to Healthier Hair Growth: Essential Oils

Table of Contents

1. Why Hair Oiling Never Really Left

Hair oiling isn’t one of those blink-and-you-miss-it beauty trends. It’s been around forever. If you grew up around Indian culture, you’ll know it as that weekly ritual you couldn’t escape as a kid. Sitting on the floor. Oil dripping down your neck. Complaining while secretly loving it.

At its core, hair oiling is about care. Real care. It uses plant oils and botanicals to support growth, boost shine, and keep hair feeling strong. And honestly? Once you see the results, it’s hard to stop.

2. How Hair Oiling Became Everyone’s Business

Somehow, this very old ritual found new life online. TikTok. Google. Instagram. Everywhere. Suddenly, everyone’s oiling their scalp and calling it “self-care.”

I get the hype. When something actually works, people talk. And hair oiling works. It’s simple, grounding, and feels good in a way that fancy tools never quite manage.

3. But Let’s Be Real—It Can Feel Confusing

If you’ve got fine hair, oil sounds scary. If you’ve got oily hair, it sounds worse. Adding oil to oil feels… illegal.

I had the same doubts. I imagined limp roots and greasy regrets. But here’s the thing. When you use the right oils, in the right way, it doesn’t feel heavy at all. It feels balanced.

4. So, What Exactly Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils come from plants. Flowers. Leaves. Seeds. Roots. They’re made by steaming or pressing parts of the plant until the good stuff comes out.

They’re powerful. Like, a little-goes-a-long-way powerful. They carry the scent and the benefits of the plant in a super concentrated form. That’s why they work so well—but also why you have to be careful.

5. How to Oil Your Hair Without Messing It Up

Hair oiling isn’t about dumping oil on your head and hoping for the best. I learned that the hard way.

Warm a few drops between your fingers first. Then massage it into your dry scalp using slow, circular motions. Take two or three minutes. Breathe. Relax.

Once your scalp feels coated, smooth what’s left through your lengths. Braid it or tie it into a low bun. Leave it overnight if you can. Longer if your hair loves it.

6. Why the Massage Matters More Than You Think

The oil helps. But the massage? That’s the real magic.

Massaging boosts blood flow. That brings oxygen and nutrients to your hair follicles. It also helps with lymphatic drainage, which keeps your scalp healthier overall.

Translation: don’t rush this part. No scratching. No nails. Just firm, gentle pressure.

7. What Oils Actually Do for Your Hair

Because they come from plants, essential oils are packed with good stuff. Vitamins. Fatty acids. Antioxidants. All the things your scalp quietly craves.

Different oils do different jobs. Some boost growth. Some calm flakes. Some add shine or help with thinning. The trick is choosing blends that suit your hair, not fighting it.

8. Essential Oils People Swear By

Here are a few that come up again and again for good reason:

Geranium oil helps strengthen hair and support growth
Ylang-ylang oil supports natural oil balance and reduces breakage
Rosemary oil boosts circulation and can help with thickness
Tea tree oil keeps flakes and itchiness in check
Lemongrass oil adds shine and can soothe dandruff-prone scalps

9. Please, Always Dilute Your Oils

This part matters. A lot.

Essential oils are intense. Used alone, they can irritate your scalp or even cause burning. I’ve seen it happen. Not fun.

They should always be mixed with a carrier oil like coconut, jojoba, olive, or almond oil. Carrier oils calm things down and make everything safer—and more effective.

10. When You’d Rather Let the Experts Handle It

If choosing oils feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. I usually reach for pre-blended formulas. They take the guesswork out of it.

Here are a few that consistently deliver.

10.1 Fable & Mane HoliRoots Hair Oil

Made by Fable & Mane, this one feels light but works hard. It smells incredible and never weighs my hair down. I noticed less shedding and a calmer scalp after a few months.

10.2 Moroccanoil Treatment Original

From Moroccanoil, this is pure moisture. A tiny amount adds shine fast. Just don’t overdo it. Trust me.

10.3 Mielle Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Oil

Mielle Organics nailed this formula. It’s affordable, refreshing, and packed with scalp-loving oils. My roots always feel cleaner after using it.

10.4 Pattern Jojoba Oil

Created by Pattern Beauty, this is a dream for curls and coils. It’s gentle, soothing, and perfect if your scalp gets easily irritated.

10.5 Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil

Gisou makes this cult favorite. It adds instant shine and smooths frizz without feeling greasy. Also, it looks very cute on your shelf.

11. Final Takeaways I Wish I’d Known Sooner

Be patient. Real results take months, not days.
Stick to once a week. More isn’t better.
Shampoo well. Sometimes twice.
Protect your skin and pillowcase overnight.
Massage gently. Always gently.

Hair oiling is slow beauty. It asks you to pause. To touch your scalp. To show up for yourself regularly. And honestly? That might be the best part.